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International Journal of Marine Science 2013, Vol.3, No.44, 361-367
http://ijms.sophiapublisher.com
366
and processes. Therefore, managers at ASEZA were
able to integrate the data on research and monitoring
(R&M) into their resource management decision-making
which enhances their strategies on conservation along
the entire coastal line (Crosby, 1997).
Ongoing management is therefore essential in order to
achieve the following four goals at all scales. The first
is to promote sustainable economic production
represented by the expansion of ports, industries and
tourist resorts. The second is to conserve the natural
marine biodiversity through R&M in Gulf of Aqaba.
Third, is to provide basic information for existing and
new projects. The final goal is to sustain cultural
values that are intimately linked with the marine
environment by preserving the heritage culture of
Aqaba. Moreover, the key factor in the success of the
AMPA conservation efforts is the real cooperation
between the different stakeholders. It is crucial that
the local community endorse the strategy of protecting
the AMPA and its natural resources in the shape of
legislations and rules aiming at protecting the fragile
ecosystems the park hold in care for future generations.
To this effect, the first step is to acquire the support of
the local community. An extensive public awareness
and educational programs have been adopted among
local and business communities as well as
governmental and non governmental authorities. This
is still undergoing for all stakeholders in several forms
such as holding workshops, symposia and conferences
as well as participation in local and international
exhibits. The AMPA engaged them also in all
activities within the framework of outreach programs
such as beach and underwater clean-up campaigns,
dive centers and government agencies participation.
Management steps that have already been undertaken
are helpful in protecting the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba
but several other actions are still crucial. The
reallocation of port units is most important to have
them confined to one major site and at the same time
allows for vertical expansion. Emphasis is important
on the power of the EIA as a management tool,
including the need to involve the public in the EIA
preparation and to rely on local expertise. It will also
be important to commit private investments through
the EIA to compensate the public for the beach
mandate. Nevertheless, there is still a need to make
the full spectrum of data and information required to
better understand and conserve AMPA biodiversity
and ecosystem processes.
The monitoring program’s aims and objectives were
discussed earlier on a local scale but now on a
regional scale, the main objective will be to enable
Jordan to take the lead in establishing and
implementing a regional collaborative framework for
sustainable management of the Gulf of Aqaba. The
key tool in this wider context is to develop resource
conservation measures to avoid irreversible loss of
biodiversity or threats to the ecosystem’s functioning.
Thus, the AMPA has strengthened the regional
capability for information exchange with national
decision-making regarding resource management in
the Gulf of Aqaba. Consequently, it laid the
groundwork for a long-standing working relationship
with the Regional Organization for the Conservation
of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) by
increasing the level of communication and
cooperation, and by building the technical capacity of
the Red Sea countries.
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